Introducing the new cat to your cats
Some cats are very social and they enjoy living with other cats, while others prefer to be solitary.
If you are placing a new cat into your home, be prepared to take time.
The best advice is to introduce the cats gradually and be patient! It takes most cats about 8-12 months to develop a friendship with a new cat.
Others never become friends but instead, mutually avoid each other. Still others continue to fight until one of the cats must be re-homed. If you are dealing with cats that have lived harmoniously with other cats in the past, the odds are probably good that they will adjust, however, it is impossible to predict if any two individual cats will get along.
If the resident cat becomes aggressive when it sees other cats outside the home, you will probably have a difficult time integrating a new cat. There are no reliable guides for deciding the best matches among cats, except that male cats, if they do become friends, tend to spend more time close to each other. The individual personalities of the cats are more important than any other factor, including sex, age, or size. Be aware that the more cats you have, the higher the likelihood that you will have conflicts between the cats.
The first impression the new cat makes with the resident cats) is critical. If the cats display aggression, this may set the mood for their future relationship.
For this reason, it is best to separate the cats initially. The cats should be able to smell and hear, but not see or touch each other.
Each cat should have its own food and water bowls, litter box, scratching post, bed, etc. Feed the cats near the door that separates them so they learn that coming together (even though they can't see each other) results in a pleasant experience.
Feed extra special treats near the door as well - tuna, salmon, cheese, chicken, liver, etc.
After 2-3 days, switch the cats so they can investigate each others smell. This also allows the new cat to explore a different section of the home.
Some behaviorists even suggest rubbing the cats with a mutual towel to intermix their scents. After a few more days, play with the cats near the door. In particular, encourage the cats to paw at the toy under the door. Eventually the cats may play "paws" under the door with each other.
After a week or so, assuming you see no signs of aggression at the door (no hissing, growling, etc.), replace the door with a temporary screen door so the cats are able to see each other.
Continue to encourage feeding, eating treats, and playing near the door, although you should start a few feet away from the door and, over a few days, gradually move closer.
The next stage is to permit the cats to spend time together. Supervise these interactions carefully. It is good to bring the cats together when they are likely to be relatively calm, such as after a meal or a strenuous play session. Keep a squirt bottle handy in case the cats begin to fight. As the cats become more familiar with each other, allow for longer periods of time together. If one cat spends most of its time hiding or if one cat is continually harassing and pursuing another cat, you should seek the assistance of a certified animal behaviorist or veterinary behaviorist.
Pay attention to the layout of your home. Make sure there are plenty of hiding spots for your cats. Some cats like to sit up high, on shelves and on kitty condo perches. Frightened cats tend to hide under and behind things so make sure you provide for spots at floor level as well. Place food, water, and litter boxes out in the open so the cats do not feel trapped accessing these resources. Make sure you have a litter box for each cat and at least one extra. |
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